Faucet



Patented Jan. 14, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 3 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in faucets .and has particular reference to a faucet which may be operated either mechanically or manually.

A further object of the invention is to produce a faucet which is neat in appearance, easy to manipulate even when the hands are wet, and a faucet which may be easily cleaned through the elimination of dirt collecting recesses.

A further object of the invention is to produce a faucet which is economical to manufacture, easy to assemble, and easy to install.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Fig. 1 is an enlarged fragmentary detailed view taken on the line Il of Fig. 3;

Fig. 2 is an end elevation on a reduced scale and having a portion thereof broken away to show the circuit breaking contacts;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of my faucet;

Fig. 4 is a front elevation thereof; and

Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of the wiring.

The ordinary faucet, whether it be a combined hot and cold water faucet or a single faucet, usually includes a valve which is opened and closed through the turning of a handle or wheel. Both of these arrangements are difficult to manipulate, particularly when the hands are wet with soap suds.

I have, therefore, produced an arrangement wherein the water in the faucet may be turned on or off through the manipulation of a drum which is manually operated or by pressing a contact so that a small electric motor will rotate the drum.

In the accompanying drawing wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral 5 designates a casting having an undercut portion Bin which the hinged spout l is located. A bore 8 extends horizontally through the casting 5 and communicates with the spout 1. In the opposite ends of this bore are formed valve seats 9, each of which is adapted to be engaged by a reciprocating valve as shown at I I. This valve is provided with a thread I2, which thread threadedly engages an internal thread formed in the hub l3 of the drum |4,'which drum is mounted in a recess it formed in the end of the casting and having its upper portion extending above the top of the casting, as illustrated in nested to the motor shaft of a motor 24.

Figs. 1 and 2 and shown at A. This drum rotates upon the stub end I! of a threaded plug it, threaded in the opening 20. This plug also carries a fiat pin !9 which enters a flat channel formed in the valve II. A packing gland is Shown at 2i, the purpose of which is obvious.

The drum I4 is provided with an internal gear 22, which gear is'engaged by the pinion 23 con- This motor is of the reversible type and its direction of rotation is controlled by a pair of contacts 26 and 21,which are in turn engaged by rocking a contact 28. These contacts are all enclosed in a rubber casing 29 so as to be protected against moisture and likewise to protect the user against shock. Mounted within the drum I4 is a contact pin 3| which is adapted to hit either the spring 32 or 33, which springs are so connected to the circuit that when they are contacted, the circuit will be broken and the motor stopped.

In assembling my. faucet and assuming that the bore and the valve seats have been formed, the drum I4 is placed in the recess l6 and moved to its proper position. The valve is then passed through the opening 20 so that its threads engage the internal threads in the hub of the drum. The plug I8 is now screwed into the opening 20 and the flat pin 19 positioned in the plug and secured in place as by the plug 25.

The motor assembly, which is carried by plates 30, (see Fig. 3) is secured to the top of the casting in any desired manner. The springs 32 and 33 extend into the drum so as to be in alignment with the (pin 3|.

When the device is so assembled, it will be apparent that by moving the contact 28 so that the contact 26 is engaged, the motor will rotate in one direction, rotating the drum until the pin engages either of the contact springs 32 or 33, and the motor will be stopped. This will result in the opening or closing of the valve, depending upon the rotation of the motor. It is obvious that should it be desired to rotate the valve a slight distance, the same can be accomplished by merely holding the contact 26 or 2'! closed for a brief interval. It is also apparent that if I desire to manually control the valve, I may do so by rotating the drum manually, it, of course, being understood that the drum will be roughened so as to provide a suitable purchase thereon.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention'herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same and that various changes relative to the material, size, shape and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a faucet of the character described, a casting, an undercut portion formed on the outer surface of said casting, a spout positioned in said undercut portion, a bore formed in said casting and connected to said spout, the bore having a valve seat formed therein, a valve movable in said bore and adapted to engage said seat, a drum rotatable on said valve and having threaded engagement therewith, said drumbeing positioned in said casting and having a portion thereof extending above the top of said casting, and means for preventing said valve from rotating, whereby the actuation of said drum will reciprocate said valve.

2. In a faucet of the character described, a casting, an undercut portion formed on the outer surface of said casting, a spout positioned in said undercut portion, a bore formed in said casting and connected to said spout, the bore having a valve seat formed therein, a valve movable in said bore and adapted to engage said seat, a drum rotatable on said valve and having threaded engagement therewith, said drum being positioned in said casting and having a portion thereof extending above the top of said casting, means for preventing said valve from rotating, whereby the actuation of said drum will reciprocate said valve, and a threaded plug and a stub portion on which said drum rotates and carrying said last-mentioned means.

3. In a faucet of the character described, a casting, an undercut portion formed on the outer surface of said casting, a spout positioned in said undercut portion, a bore formed in said casting and connected to said spout, the bore having a valve seat formed therein, a valve movable in said bore and adapted to engage said seat, a drum rotatable on said valve and having threaded engagement therewith, said drum being positioned in said casting and having a portion thereof extending above the top of said casting, means for preventing said valve from rotating, whereby the actuation of said drum will reciprocate said valve, a threaded plug and a stub portion on which said drum rotates and carrying said last-mentioned means, and a reversible motor positioned in said casting and having geared connection with said drum, whereby said drum may be rotated when CHARLES J CAMP. 

